Orkneys and Scottish Highlands

from

£

1244wasfrom

£

1309

Enjoy an enchanting journey through some of Europe’s most dramatic natural landscapes on this Orkney small group tour of the awe-inspiring northern Highlands and remote Isle of Orkney. Steeped in Viking history, the region is scattered with prehistoric sites dating back more than 5000 years; experience the tomb of Maes Howe, the excavations at Skara Brae and the mystical standing stones at the Ring of Brodgar.

Get in touch

Our journey begins in Inverness, capital of the Highlands and our springboard to visit Scotland’s far North. Taking the country roads, we head north; our first stop today is in the charming town of Strathpeffer nestling in the shadow of the bleak Ben Wyvis and surrounded by woodlands; we’ll explore this traditional Spa town which was once a highland health resort to wealthy Victorians and still shows hallmarks of these bygone times. Then its onwards along part of the recently revived NC 500 route in to Scotland’s northern highlands a remote region of desolate moorlands, deep valleys and coastal sea stacks. Leaving the mainland behind we sail to Orkney and to the islands principal town of Kirkwall, which was first settled by the Vikings. This is our island base for the next two nights.

Overnight: West End Hotel (or similar), Orkney

Day 2 Prehistoric Orkney (Maeshowe, Skara Brae and Ring of Brodgar)

The Orkneys boast over 600 miles of untouched coastline, awash with white-sand beaches, rugged cliffs, caves, and unique flora and fauna. Today we explore some of the islands' most renowned archaeological sites including Neolithic stone circles and the Stone Age tomb of Maeshowe. At UNESCO World Heritage Site, Skara Brae we see the excavated Neolithic settlement one of the best-preserved groups of prehistoric houses in Western Europe located overlooking white beach of the Bay of Skaill. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, Skara Brae presents a remarkable picture of life around 5,000 years ago, before even Stonehenge was built. Next to the standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar before making our way to the Iron Age Broch of Gurness; if the tides permit we can walk to the Brough of Birsay island to visit the remains of a Viking village.

Overnight: West End Hotel (or similar), Orkney

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Day 3 Kirkwall Town, Italian Chapel and Scapa Flow

This morning we have some free time to explore the islands main town and port, the former Viking settlement of Kirkwall. The town is host to an array of interesting historical sites including St Magnus Cathedral, Earl's Palace and Bishop's Palace. Here we'll learn about the traditional methods used to produce their famous single malt whisky from malting through to the distillation process. We then travel south to Scapa Flow, which gained fame in World War Two as the base for the local British naval fleet whose primary purpose was to prevent German war ships gaining access to the Atlantic Ocean. Here we visit the famous Italian Chapel, all that remains of the former Italian Prisoner of War Camp. By evening we board the ferry back to the mainland and enjoy a farewell dinner together in Wick.

Overnight: Mackays Hotel (or similar), Wick

Meals: Breakfast and dinner included

Day 4 Dunrobin Castle and the Cromarty Firth

Today we return South, on route we’ll stop at the magnificent Dunrobin Castle where we explore the stately house which has been home to the Dukes of Sutherland since the 1400s; this magnificent castle of white-washed turrets, towers and glorious formal gardens make the Scottish highland home resemble a glorious French chateau. Later we continue south along the beautiful coastal road, as we cross the Dornoch and Cromarty Firths before making our way back to Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands, where our tour ends.

*Journey times and distances are estimates and are based on the direct route between the start location and end location for each day of the itinerary, where applicable. They do not include detours or stops for sightseeing.